She needed quiet.

Ever since she had been accepted as a Jester, the little tailor had forced herself to visit the café more often. After years of hiding away in the backroom of the shop, she needed to socialize, make connections- or so did her familiar, Quincy, nagged. In the end, it all turned out to be too much. It was so loud, so busy, that Mimi caught herself on more than one occasion with her back pressed hard against a wall as if hoping it would swallow her whole.

This is a mistake.

The familiar’s voice rang in her head, causing Mimi to glance to where he sat on top of a old felted hat. The stoat twitched his whiskers in annoyance.

Everything was a mistake, according to him. To leave the café and make the trip home was a mistake. To show up back at the shop with tears in her eyes and yearning for her parents’ hug was a mistake. To return to the back room and fall back into mending skirts and fancy coats was a mistake.

True, Mimi didn’t feel too proud at slinking back to her family’s home like a scared little girl. It caused an embarrassed blush to colour pale cheeks as she fussed with the hem of a suit. Why couldn’t she be more like her brothers? They day they left home they never look back.

“Hush, Quincy.” She replied softly, pretending to focus on the needle and thread. “I just needed a breather, that’s all.”

I certainly hope so. I wouldn’t be able to stand spending the rest of my time with you like this. It’s so boring! Like watching paint dry. The irritated stoat’s tail twitched in annoyance. He couldn’t stand a lack of progress.

“He didn’t mean that, Mr. Suit.” She murmured, smoothing down the seams from where she sat. “You’re not boring at all. In fact, you’re quite handsome. I bet that you’ll make your owner so confident in themselves.”

Suddenly, the store bell rang and nearly caused the tailor to jump out of her skin. A hand stretched out to Quincy so that he could scurry into a pocket of her apron as she stepped out to the front. Tucking any loose hair behind her ears, Mimi grinned to the unfamiliar face.

“Welcome to Egeon’s. What may we help you with?”

The shop was an extension of the house- just as it has been since the family line started the business years ago. To hold true to such a history, the space was warm and cozy. Polished wooden planks stretched across the floors and matched the large, heavy wooden beams that reached overhead. The space was bright as simple cream coloured walls surrounded the shop- save for one that was covered in shelves with fabrics of all textures and colours proudly on display. Rich sofas and arm chairs sat pristine and ready with intricately carved tables at their side. If anything, the shop felt more like a lavish parlour from back in the day instead of a tailor shop. The family took pride in such a thing- it made customers feel like they’ve come home to family each time and, more so, made them stand out from the modern shops that were starting to pop up more recently of late.

Comfort, warmth, and excellent skill were their legacy; So it shall ever be while an Egeon still held a needle and thread in hand.

“Perhaps you would also like a cup of tea?”

Pin-pricked hands folded neatly upon the thick wooden counter as Mimi tried her best to look cheery and approachable. Being around more people was something she certainly didn’t want this day.